We were privileged this trip to experience this highly anticipated dining experience the day after it’s official opening at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
While Artist Point has been a signature dining experience at the Walt Disney World Resort for some time, it has not fared well as such, therefor leading to this new and re-imagined dining adventure.
Upon your arrival you will report to the check in station at the bottom of the Artist Point entry ramp, there you will be asked for a phone number to receive a text message letting you know your table is ready! From there you will enter the storybook dining world! Tree branches and beautiful lanterns drape the ceiling the lovely picture window views of Wilderness Lodge do not disappoint. The restaurant is quite spacious. Also upon entry, to your left you will see the unmistakable greeting location for her majesty, the Evil Queen. The tables are dressed with beautiful bright red napkins tied up with poison apple decorations with character signatures and in the center you will see a centerpiece shaped like small trees upon which your server will display both your shareable appetizers and shareable dessert selections as part of the location’s prix fixe menu.
We were greeted by our server and the menu was explained.
Appetizers and desserts are to share; You will make a personal drink and entrée selection. After our order was placed, cheerful music fills the air and Snow White is introduced. She made her way to each table, taking special care not to rush. I feel as far as character interaction, our experience was really amazing. It was much less hurried than that of Cinderella’s Royal Table. Snow was absolutely delightful.
Our appetizers arrived.
They were very unique and we all enjoyed each one, while I do feel these would be quite difficult with picky eaters. There is a butternut squash soup, hunter’s pie, and a shrimp cocktail. I have included detailed pictures of the menu.
Not long after finishing up with our appetizers, more music fills the atmosphere…….Grumpy in all his glory arrives with that classic scowl, shooing folks away and crossing his arms. He is actually a wonderful character interaction, highly animated and the little ones in the restaurant really enjoyed him. Again, not a rushed or hurried greet.
Dinner is served!
Garrett chose the “Cottage” Seafood Stew, Gary, Brock and I the Royal Prime Rib Roast, and Isabella tried the Brothers Grimm Roasted Chicken. My first reaction is that these portions are HUGE, even for Disney standards. The prime rib was actually really wonderful, and the portion was easily 16 ounces or more. I do feel like it was a bit overcooked, but again still well done. What was surprising to me was the horseradish mashed potatoes. Most of you know that I am not a fan of mashed potatoes at all……these were INSANE! I loved them! Such a unique flavor. Isabella’s chicken was super well prepared and roasted to perfection, but the highlight of the dish were the roasted Brussel sprouts! They were some of the best I’ve had. Garrett’s seafood stew was also quite flavorful. A nice mix of mussels, shrimp and scallops in a very light broth that we all really enjoyed.
And with that, the atmosphere darkens, the music waxes ominous, and then enters………The Queen! This had to be one of the main reasons I was so excited to experience this meal at Artist Point. Villain character greets are so rare so this was a stress free, no wait environment in which to both greet and enjoy her majesty. We were about the third guests in line to greet the Queen. I do feel like after experiencing this first hand, the method of this greet will soon change. For all intents and purposes, I believe the intent of this greet was to work in a similar way to that of the Beast’s greet at the end of the meal at Be Our Guest. However, it was a slight bit chaotic. It was a little unclear if guests were to wait until the end of their meal or if they were to get in line at their leisure. That being said, I do want to reiterate that I truly believe the method for this greet will be reevaluated. The Queen herself was one of the best face characters I have greeted with. Her mannerisms, her makeup, everything about her were spot on to what my imagination conjures of her. I was HIGHLY impressed and so very happy to have encountered her.
Desserts! (In my best Lilo voice)
As I mentioned, the desserts are for sharing, yet in adorable individual dwarf size portions. I do believe my favorite was the “Poison” apple. It was a little throwback to a dessert I remember from my childhood. Each selection was extremely well done. I think in fairness, the table’s least favorite was the Miner’s Treasure. It is an almost berry flavored sponge cake, which we could only describe as a little strange. Once you finish the initial desserts, your server comes to your table with a beautiful and ornate box, heavily resembling that of the box sent with the Huntsman to collect the very heart of our beloved Snow White. The server opens the box and a magical smoke rises. Inside, on a bed of crackled maple popcorn lays a ganache “heart” for each guest. This was such a lovely ending to a wonderful meal and wonderful experience.
Overall
We were highly pleased with this Storybook Dining adventure. The simple fact that you did not in the least feel hurried was a game changer for me. I enjoyed each character as did the other families surrounding our table. The meal was overall very wonderful. We also confirmed on site that this dining experience is indeed ONE table service credit. Another reason that I feel this will be quite a successful overhaul of the former Artist Point dining location. Once again I do feel like the organization on meeting the Queen is a little disjointed but will be adjusted accordingly and the one disappointment that I walk away with is the fact that Dopey was unable to join us because he was attending the festivities as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party. I was quite pleased to see it in action during its fledgling stages. I will definitely be joining our Storybook friends again and I am anxious to see the changes that will come as the restaurant progresses.
